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Starbucks, Duracell announce wireless Powermat in-store charging

Starbucks has announced it will roll out wireless charging in its stores by use of Duracell’s Powermat charging system. The rollout will begin in the San Francisco Bay Area and Boston before expanding nationally into other Starbucks stores and Teavana Fine Teas + Tea Bars. Locations can be tracked online. Stores will feature “Powermat Spots” — designated areas where compatible devices can be charged.

Powermat Spots use the PMA standard for wireless charging. At this point, iLounge has reviewed two cases that would work with the Powermat Spots — the Duracell PowerSnap Kit for iPhone 5 and Duracell PowerCase for iPhone 5/5s — in addition to a line of compatible GoPower Universal Batteries. Considering the few compatible cases for iPhone users, the appeal of the widespread Powermat Spots may be limited to relatively few Starbucks customers, although the alliance behind the standard does boast more than 70 members, including AT&T, Samsung, and other notable players.